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Ashe authorities have made two arrests of West Jefferson men in connection to two separate sex offense cases. Sheriff James Williams reports that the two suspects have been arrested and charged in separate child sexual abuse cases which were investigated by Captain Carolyn Gentry.
In the first, Marvin Ray Simcox, age 25, was arrested on 5 counts of First Degree Statutory Sex Offense; 2 counts of First degree rape of a child; and 3 counts of Statutory Sexual Offense by an Adult. Simcox was first arrested on a First Degree rape of a Child on January 4th and was set a $250,000 bond on the first counts. As he remained in jail, he was charged the additional counts, causing another $500,000 bond to be added, now totaling $750,000. Sheriff Williams said more charges are expected. The sheriff said there are multiple victims and that the incidents began when the children were 5 years old—the children now 14 and 15. He explained that First Degree Rape of a Child involves a child under the age of 12, and that Statutory sexual offenses involve children ages either 13, 14, or 15.The other case was that of James Colton Ray Eldreth, 22, of West Jefferson, was arrested first on January 5th for Statutory Rape/Sexual Offense and was released on $100,000 bond—only to be arrested again January 9th. Eldreth is charged on 5 counts of Statutory Sexual Offense and is being held now on a $350,000 bond. First appearance will be today. Sheriff Williams said that the abuse occurred over a 2 year period.